The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, has been on a mission heading towards the center of our solar system. Recently, the probe made a record-breaking visit to the Sun on Christmas Eve, marking its 21st close pass by the star.
During its closest approach, the Parker Solar Probe was just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) from the Sun's surface. While this distance may seem vast, Dr. Fox, a scientist on the mission, explained that in the grand scheme of things, it is incredibly close. To put it into perspective, he said, "We are 93 million miles away from the Sun, so if I put the Sun and the Earth one meter apart, Parker Solar Probe is only 4cm from the Sun - that's close."
The probe had to withstand extreme temperatures of 1,400 degrees Celsius and intense radiation that could have easily damaged its electronics. However, with an 11.5cm (4.5in) thick carbon-composite shield, the spacecraft managed to protect itself. Its strategy was to approach the Sun swiftly, moving faster than any other human-made object at an incredible speed of 430,000mph, equivalent to flying from London to New York in under 30 seconds.
The Parker Solar Probe's high velocity was a result of the tremendous gravitational pull it experienced as it descended towards the Sun, making it a remarkable feat of engineering and space exploration.
